Your diary – Welcome to Hanoihttp://welcome2hanoi.com
Discovery in Hanoi, VietnamFri, 19 Jan 2018 08:09:14 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.3Christmas in Hanoihttp://welcome2hanoi.com/2016/12/christmas-in-hanoi/
http://welcome2hanoi.com/2016/12/christmas-in-hanoi/#respondThu, 15 Dec 2016 08:21:21 +0000http://welcome2hanoi.com/?p=977The idea of spending Christmas time in a tropical country like Vietnam seems to be weird, especially when you know that the number of Catholics in Vietnam is not significant. However, my spontaneous decision finally turns out into a surprising and delightful experience. Coming from Scotland, Christmas to me means freezing fog and snow, massive […]

]]>The idea of spending Christmas time in a tropical country like Vietnam seems to be weird, especially when you know that the number of Catholics in Vietnam is not significant. However, my spontaneous decision finally turns out into a surprising and delightful experience.

Coming from Scotland, Christmas to me means freezing fog and snow, massive sales season, decorating a Christmas tree, seeing beautiful displays of Christmas lights in shopping malls, buying presents and cards for other people, having a nice time with my parents and eating roasted turkey in cozy dining room. That is what I used to have in the past 20 years and I will never regret that I am in Hanoi this year. The way people celebrate Christmas is quite joyful in many ways.

Christmas is a foreign holiday in Vietnam. Many people here even do not know that it is Jesus’s birthday and that is how it got its name, but they still adopt the holiday on a certain level. I find the decorations and preparation for Christmas here quite interesting. Shops decorate their windows with Christmas motifs. Department stores set up their outdoor display with giant artificial snowmans, colourful gift boxes, plastic pine tree and sparkling Christmas tree ornaments. It is quite bizarre to see snow and snowman in a tropical climate. Winter in Hanoi is never cold enough to have snow. So, in attempt to duplicate the spirit of Christmas in Western country, people here create fake snow from a spay can or using cotton wool.

Rhyme of Christmas songs at loud volume are blared from speakers in front of electronic stores and department stores all over the city. Light displays in Hanoi are quite impressive. Lights are shaped into Santa Clause, reindeer, snow flake, meteor… and hang on trees and buildings, adding to the festive atmosphere at night.

I find little kids dressed up in Santa Clause costume or thin men driving motorbikes like a school of fish are the most amusing. Although it is a bit weird but they seem to be happy and get into the festive spirit.

Christmas in Hanoi is very different but I still have the joyful time. There is so much joy going on here so live it up and have a very Merry Christmas in Hanoi, everyone >:D<

]]>http://welcome2hanoi.com/2016/12/christmas-in-hanoi/feed/020 things to do in Hanoi, Vietnamhttp://welcome2hanoi.com/2016/07/20-things-to-do-in-hanoi-vietnam/
http://welcome2hanoi.com/2016/07/20-things-to-do-in-hanoi-vietnam/#respondFri, 15 Jul 2016 07:13:43 +0000http://welcome2hanoi.com/?p=957My time in Hanoi has come to an end! After calling Hanoi home for the last 10 months, it’s about time for me to head home to the States. Although I no longer live in Vietnam, it will always hold a special place in my heart. I want all of you to be able to […]

]]>My time in Hanoi has come to an end! After calling Hanoi home for the last 10 months, it’s about time for me to head home to the States. Although I no longer live in Vietnam, it will always hold a special place in my heart. I want all of you to be able to experience everything the Vietnamese capital has to offer. So, I’ve put together this list of 20 things to do in Hanoi in order to ensure you can have a diverse trip and see the best of the best Hanoi has to offer!

Stroll the perimeter of Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake is smack dab in the middle of Hanoi. It’s a really beautiful area of the city! The park surrounding the lake blooms with freshly planted flowers year around. Although Hoan Kiem Lake is gorgeous throughout the day, my favorite time to go is early in the morning before it’s too hot (I’m talking 4am-6am) or after dark. Locals come out in the masses to workout during the cooler hours of the day. Sometimes you need a place to escape from Hanoi’s chaos and Hoan Kiem is a great place for that.

See Sunday Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral

Although Vietnam has a majority Buddhist population, there is a small minority of Catholics in the country. On Sunday evenings St. Joseph’s Cathedral is brimming with Christian worshipers. The cathedral is also open throughout the day on Sunday for you to see inside.

Visit Hanoi’s oldest pagoda

Hanoi’s oldest pagoda, Chua Tran Quoc, lies on Thanh Nien Street, which is the road that runs between two of Hanoi’s lakes: Truc Bach and Tay Ho. It’s a beautiful setting to see this pagoda. Be sure to take a stroll along the lake while you’re there and maybe even rent a swan paddle boat on Truc Bach lake.

Explore via motorbike

Motorbikes are the mode of transportation that a majority of the locals use. So why not do like the locals do? It’s the best, most genuine way to see Hanoi. While intimidating from the outside, driving in Hanoi is not as hard as it looks as long as you realize that traffic laws are a suggestion. Be sure to look both ways on a one-way street and to be wary of large intersections.

Try a Pho Cocktail

For foreigners, pho is viewed as a quintessential Vietnamese dish. Although, you’ve never truly experienced the pleasure of pho until you’ve actually eaten it in Vietnam. It’s a 100 times better! However, it is also served very hot. And as you may know, Vietnam can be extremely hot and humid. I unfortunately haven’t eaten pho in months because I would be drenched in sweat while attempting to eat it. So, if you arrive in Hanoi during the peak of the heat season and still want to enjoy pho, try a refreshing pho cocktail instead at Mojito Lounge. Sounds weird, right? Somehow the steaming beef noodle soup translates to a cool, refreshing summer cocktail.

Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is one of my Hanoi’s most iconic places to visit, so much so that it is on the 100,000 dong bill. It is Vietnam’s oldest national university and also honors Confucius scholars. Plus, it’s a gorgeous green space in the city. I really don’t think that a visit to Hanoi is complete without visiting the Temple of Literature.

Enjoy Hanoi’s best view at the Sofitel Legend Summit Lounge

Hanoi is a large city with many lakes, with West Lake being the biggest. Head to The Summit Lounge at the Sofitel Plaza Hotel for sunset cocktails with a side of Hanoi lake and city views.

Buy a bouquet at the Flower Market

Hanoi’s flower market operates during the late hours of the night. Vendors and stores stock up on flowers to sell the following business day. Head here to experience the beauty and buzz of the flower market activity.

Drink the cheapest beer in the world

Bia hoi, known as “fresh beer,” is the cheapest beer in the world. It sells for anywhere between 5,000-8,000 VND/glass {$0.22 – $0.36). Although the alcohol content is lower than a normal beer, the experience is top-notch. You can drink bia hoi at Beer Corner {corner of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen in the Old Quarter} or in any bia hoi around the city. Keep an eye out for a large yellow sign with the words “Bia Hoi Ha Noi” in red lettering. These dives sell cheap Vietnamese food and bia hoi.

Learn a little history at Hoa Lo Prison

Hoa Lo Prison was built by the French and was once the largest prison in Indochina. Originally housing Vietnamese fighting for independence from the French, it then housed American P.O.W.s during the Vietnam War. Come here to learn a bit about Vietnam’s history and the various wars they have endured.

Learn to cook Vietnamese cuisine

Vietnamese food is often about finding a balance between different flavors. Vinegar, salt, sugar, fish sauce, lime, etc. all work together to create fresh and flavorful food. In order to learn about this balance, be sure to take a cooking class in Hanoi. I’ve enjoyed a class at Hanoi Cooking Centre but I’ve heard that Orchid Restaurant & Cooking Class is great as well.

Women’s Museum

The Women’s Museum is a great museum to learn about women’s participation in Vietnamese history and about their roles in everyday life. Learn about the women who have served on the front lines in various wars, today’s women street vendors and see beautiful, hand-made traditional clothing.

Walk around the Old Quarter

The Old Quarter is the heart of Hanoi. During any visit to Hanoi, you will spend a decent amount of time in the Old Quarter. Hostels, hotels, restaurants and street food abound here. There’s a flourish of activity and it’s a great place to begin exploring the city. Learn how to spend a day in the Hanoi Old Quarter here.

Shop for fresh groceries at a wet market

Wet markets are where most locals buy their groceries. Each day, the woman of the house frequents the wet market for fresh produce, seafood and different cuts of meat. The floor is wet due to frequent washing and overflow of seafood tanks. They are busy, smelly and everything is as fresh as it gets, most likely having been killed or caught that morning.

Savor street food

Vietnam is famous for its street food culture. Most places serve one or two items in order to perfect their dish. However, diving right into the street food scene can be intimidating. If you want a helping hand, take a street food tour with Hanoi Street Food Tours. The tour is fabulous and you can learn a lot about where the ingredients come from and about life in Vietnam. While on your own, try bun cha. It is Hanoi’s famous dish consisting of grilled pork paddies, broth, and noodles. Add fresh herbs on the side for added flavor.

View the city from Long Bien Bridge

Since Hanoi is such a busy city, it’s hard to imagine that just under Long Bien Bridge, there is a quite oasis covered in banana trees. After riding a motorbike through the quiet fields, climb up the stairs of Long Bien Bridge and look back for views of Hanoi and oncoming bridge traffic.

Have a spa day

There are soooo many cheap and relaxing spas in Hanoi. My favorites are SF Spa for massages and waxing, Mido Spa for facials and Orchid Spa for manicures and pedicures. After a long day walking around the city, pamper yourself!

See a show at the Opera House

The Hanoi Opera House was built in 1911 by the French. Check the performance schedule to see if there’s something playing while you are in town. Get dressed up for an evening performance. I saw The Nutcracker a few days before Christmas and enjoyed cocktails at Tadioto after the play.

See life on the train tracks

While Hanoi is a large city, it’s also a very populated city. With 7 million residents, and plenty of visitors, every nook and cranny of this city is used! The train runs directly through Hanoi and past people’s homes. If you walk up and down the edge of the train tracks, you’ll be able to see local life. Residents live directly on the tracks and also own businesses here, including restaurants and barber shops.

]]>http://welcome2hanoi.com/2016/07/20-things-to-do-in-hanoi-vietnam/feed/0Autumn – a wonderful season in Hanoihttp://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/08/autumn-a-wonderful-season-in-hanoi/
http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/08/autumn-a-wonderful-season-in-hanoi/#respondThu, 13 Aug 2015 03:31:24 +0000http://welcome2hanoi.com/?p=803Weather in Hanoi is getting cooler these days. The leaves are starting to change its color Vibrant color of yellow is slowly replacing the green of old trees in streets, creating a picturesque scene. Icy breeze blowing through the streets signals the gentle arrival of autumn. The beauty of Hanoi in autumn has been a […]

]]>Weather in Hanoi is getting cooler these days. The leaves are starting to change its color Vibrant color of yellow is slowly replacing the green of old trees in streets, creating a picturesque scene. Icy breeze blowing through the streets signals the gentle arrival of autumn. The beauty of Hanoi in autumn has been a source of inspiration for many Vietnamese artists, poets and musicians for generations.

A special feature of autumn in Hanoi is its fragrant. The unique fragrant comes from many sources. Sweet scent comes from its symbol seasonal flower which locals call milk flower. These clusters of tiny green flowers often hide behind the leaves and perfume long streets by its passionate scent. It brings a romantic atmosphere and makes you feel like fall in love.

Bitter aroma yet inviting warm smell comes from the Vietnamese coffee. When you pass by a coffee shop and get a good whiff of the strong scent of coffee, all of your senses will be awaken and it is hard to keep going. It is a wonderful experience to sit on a pavement stall, drink a hot cup of coffee, feel lovely touch of sunshine through yellow leaves and watch the bustle of streets.

Subtle scent comes from white orchid flower (hoa ngoc lan) which is crowdedly grown in Phan Dinh Phung Street and its vicinity. The scent makes you feel like being in a land of peace and gentleness.

Autumn’s scent of Hanoi cannot be completed without mentioning the soft scent of green rice flakes (Com) – a Hanoi specialty. Com is made from premature young rice. It is typically packed inside lotus leaves and is also packaged by fresh green rice straw around the outside. Fragrance of lotus leaf adds flavor Com and makes it increasingly cool, sweet and soft.

If you come to Hanoi in autumn once, Hanoi and its scents will always stay in your heart.

]]>http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/08/autumn-a-wonderful-season-in-hanoi/feed/0Autumn – the most beautiful time in Hanoihttp://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/08/autumn-the-most-beautiful-time-in-hanoi/
http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/08/autumn-the-most-beautiful-time-in-hanoi/#respondSat, 01 Aug 2015 01:11:52 +0000http://welcome2hanoi.com/?p=769Autumn, especially October should be the best time of the year to visit Hanoi and the North of Vietnam. Thanks to the support of the weather, with the average temperature of 25 Census degrees, the autumn of Hanoi is so beautiful with warm sunlight and cool breeze. The beauty of Hanoi’s autumn lies in its […]

]]>Autumn, especially October should be the best time of the year to visit Hanoi and the North of Vietnam. Thanks to the support of the weather, with the average temperature of 25 Census degrees, the autumn of Hanoi is so beautiful with warm sunlight and cool breeze. The beauty of Hanoi’s autumn lies in its streets coloured in yellow of fallen leaves, prettifying with a little red of sesame flowers and a pure white colour of milk flowers.

Sesame tree by Hoan Kiem (Sword Lake) in autumn

The charming of Hanoi in this time presents not only in its scenery but also in its wind. Hainoian also calls autumn a season of milk flowers (hoa sua). With its sweet fragrance, milk flowers perfume the air with a romantic feeling that makes people easily fall in love. Besides the passionate scent of milk flowers, the delicate scent of yellow orchid flowers (hoa hoang lan) also bring the relaxing feeling for those passing by. Walking along the Hoan Kiem Lake, you can enjoy breathing in the unique flavor of Hanoi’s autumn over each gust of wind, observe daily life of people and enjoy the peaceful moment of the sunset. Outskirt of the Old Quarter, Thanh Nien street located between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake is less known by visitors but it is said that you could not fully understand what autumn in Hanoi is like and why this season brings lovers closer if you have not had a stroll on the street.

Sunset in West Lake

During the October, ones may also go to Vong Thi Pagoda located on the side of West lake to attend festival with traditional folksongs and cockfighting. Another exciting day in autumn is Full-Moon or Mid-Autumn Festival, taking place in the 15th day of the lunar August when the moon is at its best round shape of the year. These days, the old quarter of Hanoi, especially Hang Ma Street, is alive with the bustling activities and the atmosphere resplendent with colourful star-shaped lanterns, gifts and decorations, as well as the ant-farm-like crowds of people. Even though the official day of the festival is 15th August, people are excited to prepare for the festival weeks and even a month ahead. Moon cakes are widely sold by both vendors and stores from long before the festival. The traditional moon cake is popularly made in two types: the ‘grilled cake’ and the ‘sticky cake’ which are distinguished by colour. Grilled cakes are brown while sticky cakes are white. They are normally sweet with diverse fillings, shapes and sizes. The Mid-Autumn festival is also the great time for fruit fans as it is the prime season for ripe juicy pomelos and persimmons. On the full moon day, families will enjoy traditional moon cakes with green tea, admire the moonlight and sing Autumn-related songs with their children. Besides enjoying moon cakes, dragon dancing is one of the major activities during the festival. The performance often takes place on outdoor stages or right on the streets. The dance follows the joyful beat of drums and is known as a wish of luck, health and happiness. Although this festival is especially celebrated for children, it is also a good time for teenagers and young adults to go back to their childhood. They buy children toys, wear funny masks and take pictures with their friends with the feeling of forever young. Come and experience Hanoi in autumn, it is really worth a visit. Contact Eviva tour for local advice and professional support to explore the full beauty of Hanoi in autumn.

]]>http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/08/autumn-the-most-beautiful-time-in-hanoi/feed/0Romantic novel Hanoi Jane inspired by expat’s journeyhttp://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/07/romantic-novel-hanoi-jane-inspired-by-expats-journey/
http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/07/romantic-novel-hanoi-jane-inspired-by-expats-journey/#respondMon, 27 Jul 2015 02:29:48 +0000http://welcome2hanoi.com/?p=766People who have lived in Vietnam for many years or are preparing to move to the country will enjoy Hanoi Jane, the first novel by Canadian writer Elka Ray. Ray’s story is set in the country, while also combining travel, romance, horror and adventure. Released by publisher Mark Hoffman in October 2012, the story features […]

]]>People who have lived in Vietnam for many years or are preparing to move to the country will enjoy Hanoi Jane, the first novel by Canadian writer Elka Ray.

Ray’s story is set in the country, while also combining travel, romance, horror and adventure.

Released by publisher Mark Hoffman in October 2012, the story features an American journalist named Jane Moxley who learns that her banker fiance, Wyatt, is cheating on her just months after moving to Ha Noi. Jane sets out to discredit his new girlfriend – a sexy French-Vietnamese aid worker named Lindy Tran. The more Jane discovers, the less genuine Lindy seems, as readers learn she is simultaneously dating three men, and the charity she manages looks awfully shady. What starts as a desperate bid to win Wyatt back turns into the adventure of Jane’s life.

As many as 2,000 copies of the book have been sold overseas including Kindle edition.

“I was hooked on Hanoi Jane from the first page,” wrote a customer named Dorothy, a book buyer on Amazon.com.

“Ray is a wildly creative, witty writer, using a combination of mystery and romance… I highly recommend this book as the perfect vacation or weekend need-to-escape read…”

“This fiction is hilarious, with spot-on descriptions of Vietnam. The characters are infectious…This book is a perfect gift for anyone who has visited Vietnam, plans to visit or is curious about the country…,” wrote another customer, named T Evelyn.

“I wrote Hanoi Jane shortly after the birth of my third child,” Ray told Vietnam News, “Like all new mothers, I was really tired and wanted to focus on something light and funny – this book was the result.”

Ray said while Hanoi Jane is fiction, the characters were inspired by her recollections of what it was like to be young and single and trying to adapt to life in a new country.

The main character, Jane, feels she does not fit in, but ends up having a great adventure and finding new friends and new love, she said.

“I think readers relate to Jane because, sooner or later, we all experience setbacks and lose confidence, but can overcome most things if we keep our sense of humour,” she added.

Born in England, Ray spent her childhood in Canada. After studying Asian Studies and Journalism, Ray moved to Vietnam in 1996. She works as a freelance writer and editor.

Ray’s children inspired her to compose two illustrated bilingual books for children, entitled Vietnam A to Z and 1, 2, 3 Vietnam!, which contain her drawings, and teaches letters and counting while offering a simple knowledge of Vietnamese culture and landscapes for children.

“When my kids were really little, I wanted to read them books about Viet Nam, but couldn’t find many good ones in English,” Ray recalled. “The books I found were either about the war, and very gloomy, or were weird folk tales that struck me as violent or illogical. To fill the gap, I wrote and illustrated a couple of very simple and colourful bilingual books.”

Her children’s books are now sold in book shops and souvenir stores in Vietnam, and also in the US.

“My goal is to make Vietnamese kids proud of their heritage and to teach other children more about Vietnam,” she said.

Ray spent 10 years in Ha Noi, and the past decade in HCM City, where she met and married her husband, Nguyen Dinh Thien, who was born in Vietnam but grew up in Australia – “the most optimistic person” she knows.

“He’s endlessly energetic, funny and outgoing, while I’m much more reserved,” she said, “What impresses me the most about Thien is that he can make everything – and I mean everything – more fun, even dull stuff, like going to the supermarket. He’s a rare combination because he’s very reliable, hard working and organised, but doesn’t take life too seriously.”

Ray said she felt lucky to have spent twenty years in Vietnam and experienced an era of massive changes.

“When I came here, Vietnam was just opening to the wider world. In many ways, it was a very innocent time, and I had many experiences I would never have had elsewhere and which would be impossible today. I feel like Vietnam and I grew up together,” she admitted.

]]>http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/07/romantic-novel-hanoi-jane-inspired-by-expats-journey/feed/0Hanoi in the eyes of foreign friendshttp://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/06/hanoi-in-the-eyes-of-foreign-friends/
http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/06/hanoi-in-the-eyes-of-foreign-friends/#respondThu, 04 Jun 2015 04:52:11 +0000http://welcome2hanoi.com/?p=660Eating outside, loving outside; Hanoians go to bed ealier and frequently be curious about age, income, but will quickly come to give you a hand if you fall. They are opinions of foreign friends living here. Allister Esguerra, 25, The Philippines: Hanoi is like a village. Leaving HCMC, the man is fed up of current […]

]]>Eating outside, loving outside; Hanoians go to bed ealier and frequently be curious about age, income, but will quickly come to give you a hand if you fall. They are opinions of foreign friends living here.

Allister Esguerra, 25, The Philippines: Hanoi is like a village.

Leaving HCMC, the man is fed up of current situation of robbery here. Leaving Hoian because there is not many jobs to choose. In the eyes of a backpacker, 9pm in Hoian is exactly like in 12pm in Hanoi, and 12pm in HCMC is like 7pm in Hanoi.

“Hanoi is like Hoian, but larger with population of 8 million. That is a reason why. I love this place.

In Hanoi, it’s much better if you have more relationships. If you’re closed, life becomes very hard, especially to find a job. It is not easy to be a friend. In Saigon, you only need a day. But in Hanoi, you will need time to get Hanoian friend’s trust.

For me, Hanoi is like a village. Everybody knows each other. So gossips are fastly spreading out. But I admire the bravery of Hanoians, they don’t afraid of something out of their comfort zone. They tend to be risky. You can see Hanoians come to HCMC to settle down than HCMC people come to Hanoi and do the same thing”.

I remember a saying of my friend’s grandfather: ‘If you can live in Hanoi, you can live in anywhere else in the world’.

Allister took a photo with Ha Giang children in a backpacking trip. (Given by Allister)

Allister took a photo with Ha Giang children in a backpacking trip. (Given by Allister)

Julie Vola, 31, France: Hanoians are sentimental

Julie Vola. Taken by VA.

“In the implementation of photobook ‘Recalling Hanoi’, I met 100 persons and found out that everybody here are so interesting, they were willing to tell me about their personal memories in the city.

At any age, Hanoians are polite, modest, willing to share their stories and sentimental. When I made a talk with an old lady, she invited me to visit her house, bring snacks and continuously urge me to eat tenderly.

My father was born here, and then the family came back France. I feel regret that I didn’t talk much with him about his time here. Now he had already gone, I decided to come here to know about Hanoi people and life. Hanoians are truly liberal, lovely. They still keep their traditional lifestyle, gathering together in family and proud of their history.

The first time I came here, I couldn’t understand why people beeped on the street so noisy. They are so aggressive to me. But I only realized that is for the sake of road users when I started to use motorbike. The sound is to inform others avoid us while driving.

Sometimes, people do not care about others in public place. For example, a woman tried to cross me at the supermarket cashier while I was waiting there. I also held door for people but they came across without noticing that I stood there for such a long time.

Going to Ngoc Ha is my favorite, my grandmas, sisters taught me tell the food’s name in Vietnamese. If I know somebody offers high prices, I bargain aggressively. If I went through them, they called me back:”Hey, come back here, please”. So lovely!

Martin Rama, 57, Uruguay: Hanoians eat, love outside.

“I can see many people would like to live out on streets, in parks, from eating to loving, it couldn’t be changed. The way I see the lifestyle here, is being modern, not being happier, but it is different. For example, when I just came to Hanoi 16 years ago, nobody got divorced, but it’s more popular now. Hanoians have a westernized lifestyle in this aspect” – Martin used to live in Hanoi 8 years, was a chief economist of World Bank in Vietnam.

Mr. Martin Rama and the book “Hanoi, a place to rove” (Given by Martin).

“Only watch the way a woman seating behind a man, people can guess to what extend their relationship reaches to”. He wrote about couples on motorbike in Hanoi.

“If she carefully sits, try to avoid touching to the person before her, the man certainly has to try his best for many times. If she leans back and texts to somebody else and doesn’t let him know, the man surely gets a very big trouble. However, she sometimes leans forward, rests on his shoulder, whispers something to him, it is certainly that we should pray for accident will never happen on streets!
The way Hanoians care about each other is similar to our Latin Americans: warm, passion, friendship respect in relationships”

Ms. Nandini Oomman, Indian: Hanoian is full of energy.

Ms. Nandini Oomman. Taken by VA.

“Living in Hanoi for more than three years, I am surprised when many people work out in early morning. In parks, on sidewalks, they work out at all ages. That makes me full of energy, too.

So I decided to cycle, thing that I would never do during 12 years in America. Cycling around West Lake, I could stop anywhere to have breakfast, visit Nghi Tam flower market or wardering along streets.

Hanoians are warm and friendly. I and my husband visited our Vietnamese colleague. They invited us in occasion of Tet. We gathered around on the ground as we are all Asians, similar customs, every family members shared their stories together and grew up there.

The most amazing thing is about women on the streets, they work so hard. They are preoccupied with their flower bikes on the street, with their carriers collecting garbages.

The was a time that a vendor shouted at me asking for money while walking and photographing on Old Quarters. I didn’t take it serious because It was normal in developing countries. I also went by Xe Om, but I hesitate a little bit because people fastly come and go. Some people don’t wear helmet.

For me, Hanoi is so interesting. It is not like in America where I just go to work and come back home.”.

“More than 3 years living in Hanoi, I often come back here as soon as possible after every business trips. I love the feelings of freedom and relaxation here. Hanoians have a free lifestyle, they also pay attention to their works, make money but are not too busy as Singaporeans or Hong Kong people. Unlike Saigonan, Hanoian leads a very regular life. Hanoian’s life style is as leisure as fish, they swim in the pool.

They also own a dynamic life on sidewalks, public places. In North Europe, we live in our house because of cold and wet climate. Conversely, there are many outdoor activities, food vendors on sidewalk, pedlars, “xe om” here. People even dance in park at night.

Eating on street or shopping, I am warmly welcomed. The feelings of being welcomed by strangers are so excited”. Some persons said to me that they did it for money. However, many waiters and waitresses even refuse my tips in restaurants – the bonus that many others from Western restaurants waiting for.

Hanoians are friendly. They, however, don’t work well together. They don’t acquire enough social skills to communicate to others while teamwork. They tend to their personal life. Some leaders even tend to command than create convenient environment for their followers to work easily.

For me, it is easy to make friends in Hanoi. I have a group of friend in which we often meet and chat together. I am going to live in Hanoi for few years.

Zuhal Saturn, 34, journalist, Afghanistan: Hanoian is very curious but very kind.

Zuhal Saturn with her students. Given by Zuhal.

“Hanoi makes me love, but it also makes my heart broken. Hanoi is the city that you can fall in love today, but you might hate it like your enemy tomorrow. Because Hanoi is a hard place to live in”. Zuhal has been living in Hanoi for a year as an English teacher. She spent 15 years in Hamburg, Germany and 18 years in Toronto, Canada.

“The first time I came here was in a tour around Asian, through Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia. Right after the moment I left the train station in Hanoi, I knew that I already fell in love with this city. The reason was that it was not only like Hamburg in Europe, but also it’s chaotic and warm – a prominent feature in Asia.

Hanoians are quiet inquisitive, from my neighbours to a Pho owner where I often come to eat. They’re curious about my salary. In my culture, in Afghanistan, in Canada, in Germany, it is very impolite to ask somebody about their incomes. The first three questions that any Vietnamese want me to answer are: Where are you from? How old are you? Have you got married?

However, Hanoians are really helpful and careful. In the west, if you fall on street, you must be very lucky to get somebody’s help. I know many people will argue about this problem, but it’s true. In hanoi, if you fall, your motorbike is upon your body, there will be two persons come to help. It’s really a beauty of the city. I love this city.”

]]>http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/06/hanoi-in-the-eyes-of-foreign-friends/feed/0Perfume Pagoda – Some points you should know before goinghttp://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/05/perfume-pagoda-some-points-you-should-know-before-going/
http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/05/perfume-pagoda-some-points-you-should-know-before-going/#respondThu, 21 May 2015 08:20:14 +0000http://welcome2hanoi.com/?p=604After one day trip in Perfume Pagoda (Huong Pagoda), I found it is truly perfect scenic place with the religious complex of pagoda and landscape. If you are about to make a religious trip, my reviews about this place might be helpful. Transportation: It is located in the limestone mountains 60 kilometers away from Hanoi; […]

]]>After one day trip in Perfume Pagoda (Huong Pagoda), I found it is truly perfect scenic place with the religious complex of pagoda and landscape. If you are about to make a religious trip, my reviews about this place might be helpful.

Transportation:

It is located in the limestone mountains 60 kilometers away from Hanoi; it is quite near and you can go there by motorbike, car or even bus. In my opinion, the cheapest way is to take the local bus; but the most enjoyable way is to hire a car . For local bus, you can take it in Yen Nghia station. For car rental, asking the support from travel agencies is highly recommended. As my real experience, I asked Eviva Tours for help and the service they offered me is much appreciated.

Boat is used to help you pass the Yen stream to the foot of the complex. You can purchase this ticket at the local boat tickets and the service fee is around VND 120.000 per person.

Picturesque places:

Yen stream looks peaceful like an ink wash painting. It is often crowded with many boats in festival season. There are some little houses in the mountain ranges (passing by the stream ???). It looks like the small points in the huge picture.

Yen stream

Huong Tich grotto is a vast cave with a number of altars inside. People say that the stalagmite inside looks likes a dragon’s tongue. And to reach this stalagmite, there is a flight of stairs with 120 steps up. ( or You need to climb 120 steps to get there)

Huong Tich grotto

Thien Tru Pagoda -its character is very typical of Vietnamese pagoda with triple-roofed bell pavilion. It also honors Quan Am, Goddess of Mercy.

Thien Tru Pagoda

Travel tips:

You should not go there on the Lunar New Year Festival because many Vietnamese rush to go there. Also most foreigner visit Perfume pagoda as a part of an organized tour. Eviva Tour, which I mentioned above, offers both private and group tour with the reasonable price and impressive services.

]]>http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/05/perfume-pagoda-some-points-you-should-know-before-going/feed/0I have loved Hanoi for a long timehttp://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/04/i-have-loved-hanoi-for-a-long-time/
http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/04/i-have-loved-hanoi-for-a-long-time/#respondWed, 08 Apr 2015 08:02:20 +0000http://welcome2hanoi.com/?p=492I have no idea how much I love this city. I just know that. I want to live in Hanoi for the rest of my life. My family moved to Vietnam when I was 13 years old. At that time, I could not speak Vietnamese, I had no friends. I was bullied at school. For […]

]]>I have no idea how much I love this city. I just know that. I want to live in Hanoi for the rest of my life.

My family moved to Vietnam when I was 13 years old. At that time, I could not speak Vietnamese, I had no friends. I was bullied at school. For a long time, I got depression. I was hard to communicate with others. I used to stay alone in my bedroom, cried and worried about every single thing. My house was next to 83A Tran Quoc Toan, a building full of roses, I usually stayed by the window, looked at the roses garden.

My sickness became better when I was 15. My psychiatrist said that I had to learn how to love, how to share, how to feel my world. In somehow, I really wanted to change. I wanted to understand myself, my parent, the place I was living.

The first time in my life, I had played truant in order to spend time in the class. I caught the first bus I saw even I had no idea where it would take me to. I chose the position beside the window. And this was also the first time I had felt that Hanoi was so beautiful.

Hanoi was a girl who I was living with for a long time but I never paid any attention for her. She was more than you can imagine. She was gorgeous but elegant. She was soft and had mild flavor. I loved sunshine on the leaf, I loved the fresh air in Quang Ba stress, I loved the best black coffee which is sold in the pavement, I love the boisterous in the market. I loved the imagine of grandma selling roses in a bicycle. I loved the sound, the smell of this city.

I never looked at Hanoi so carefully as that time. And I was amazed, everything seemed to be so familiar but strange. Suddenly, I realized Hanoi is my home, and people never refused the home. I had to get acquainted with it, learn how to love it. But I thought I had already loved Hanoi for a long time.

]]>http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/04/i-have-loved-hanoi-for-a-long-time/feed/0Each corner in Hanoihttp://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/04/each-corner-in-hanoi/
http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/04/each-corner-in-hanoi/#respondMon, 06 Apr 2015 01:48:02 +0000http://welcome2hanoi.com/?p=478I have impressed by an album about Ha Noi of America photographer – Jon Siegel and I harmonize the way he feels about Ha Noi. It demonstrates the whole picture of this country and attracts me as the first time. A hard working man is serving “Pho” – a traditional food in Vietnam. In Vietnam, […]

]]>I have impressed by an album about Ha Noi of America photographer – Jon Siegel and I harmonize the way he feels about Ha Noi. It demonstrates the whole picture of this country and attracts me as the first time.

A hard working man is serving “Pho” – a traditional food in Vietnam. In Vietnam, people starts their day so early and they usually have a Noodle and take a cup of coffee before working. It makes Ha Noi people gently and relaxed.

Taking a cup of coffee on the street of Ha Noi in the morning is so fantastic. It brings me closer to the pace of life in Ha Noi with the rush of vehicle, the various sound of people surrounding me, the happy face of coffee shop owner bringing me a sign of lucky day.

It is another street food in Ha Noi. It tastes sweet and delicious. It is better to enjoy with a cup of tea.

This is a familiar scene in every corner at street of Ha Noi, which is considered as unique street culture of Ha Noi. It is a vendor with different type of vegetable and I am impressed by the center of this picture – an old lady is arranging vegetable. It makes me feel friendly and easy to get close to a charming Ha Noi.

An old man slowly walks down on one of the most crowded street in Ha Noi. He looks like an experienced man and live through the changes of a fast growing city like Ha Noi.

A small shop selling dried medicine made from different leaves and plants in Asia. It is easy to recognize this street because of the medicines smell. There is one street is specialize selling this special medicine.

It is a peaceful picture taken in a pagoda in Ha Noi. As I know, each district has at least one pagoda and they usually go there to pray in the starting days of a month.

Two of kids are playing with a cat on the street of Ha Noi.

It is a well known street in Ha Noi and there are lots of foreigners visiting Ta Hien street. It is always crowded and it attracts many young Vietnamese people because they can find variety entertainment here such as drinking beer with friends, enjoying live music, drinking “tra da”, chatting with friends, etc. It makes Ta Hien street always colorful and bustling.

Night market is another recommended place when you visit Ha Noi. It is opened only in the weekend and you can find any stuff you want in this market with a cheap price. It is suitable to buy souvenirs here.

I desire to have a tour to Vietnam and visit Ha Noi again, and I am sure I will capture my beautiful moment in this country.

]]>http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/04/each-corner-in-hanoi/feed/0Mystery of a rainy day in Hanoihttp://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/03/mystery-of-a-rainy-day-in-hanoi/
http://welcome2hanoi.com/2015/03/mystery-of-a-rainy-day-in-hanoi/#respondWed, 11 Mar 2015 09:15:55 +0000http://welcome2hanoi.com/?p=390Hanoi – the city has a long history of Vietnam. Hanoi is beautiful and full of mysteries. Although time changes a lot of things but the ancient feeling still exist in every single things of this city. Trust me! If you get a chance, you should listen to Hanoi songs in the rain at least […]

]]>Hanoi – the city has a long history of Vietnam. Hanoi is beautiful and full of mysteries. Although time changes a lot of things but the ancient feeling still exist in every single things of this city. Trust me! If you get a chance, you should listen to Hanoi songs in the rain at least once in your lifetime.

I had travelled to Hanoi the first time in summer 2 years ago. When I was walking through ancient stress, suddenly it rained heavily. Everybody ran to find a place to hide the rain. I stood under the eaves of an old house, looked at people, and listened to the rhythm of therain. I just wanted to take it slow as there were so many wonderful things happening around me. I could smell the fresh and powerfully evocative scent of the rain, smoked cigar, watched people on the road. Middle-aged woman wore raincoat, they still walked through stress to sell donut and stuff, their voice was so special – beautiful and unique.

The place I stood is opposite no 83A Tran Quoc Toan. There was a small girl wore little white dress with long black hair went out. Everything was perfect: an old gray house, a small girl, and an yellow umbrella. In my mind, the song of rain just plays a special music.

Another rainy day, I went to the Cathedral in Nha tho Street, I met that Vietnamese girl again. She had a sweet smile. I couldn’t stop looking at her. I came to say Hi. She was so friendly, she said she worked for a travel agency named Eviva and she saw me stood in front of her company last time.
Our first date was on a rainy day and our weeding was on a rainy day too. That is the story of how I felt in love with her, with rainy day in Hanoi.